Athena is one lucky dog Published Dec. 5, 2005 By Airman 1st Class Sarah Gregory 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- It’s a familiar, yet sad story. A family is getting ready for a permanent change of station but can’t take their pet with them. But instead of trying to find a new home for the pet, they choose to abandon it and leave the animal to fend for itself. Athena was one of those pets left behind. The boxer is one of about 150,000 dogs and 200,000 cats that are abandoned in Italy each year, said Kerry Woody, Aviano veterinary clinic business manager. “Abandoned pets are exposed to starvation, injury and disease and are stripped of any affection,” she said. But Athena -- found abandoned in the Aviano area -- is one lucky dog. “When she was brought in, the clinic was faced with a tough decision,” Mrs. Woody said. “She was emaciated and had pressure sores along her joints and pelvis from where the bones were rubbing through the skin.” But the clinic staff saved Athena. They took emergency action to re-hydrate and restore her nutritional balance. However, shortly after bringing her back from the brink, Athena suffered a stroke and developed ataxia -- the loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement. The condition made walking difficult for the boxer, who also appeared to suffer from dementia. As if that wasn’t enough, Athena was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a malignant form of breast cancer, which had spread to four of her eight mammary glands. The veterinarian was only able to remove part of the cancer. Mrs. Woody said many of Athena’s problems were probably due to starvation. But despite her medical problems, Athena began to recover. “Her personality became apparent and she showed herself to be a friendly, and amazingly, happy creature,” Mrs. Woody said. But the clinic gave Athena only a few more months to live. They then began the difficult task of trying to find Athena a comfortable home to spend her remaining days. “It seemed like a fruitless task,” Mrs. Woody said. “Who would to want to house a dog with so many problems and with only a short while left to live?” The Wellmans did. “My husband, Eric, and I felt we could provide some dignity and love for Athena during her final months here,” Cindy Wellman said. “We felt that because we had the ability, a large yard and extra time to care for another animal, there wasn’t any reason not to take her.” Athena wasn’t the Wellman’s first adopted pet. “Our other dog, Xena, is a 4-year-old Rottweiler we got from another military family who was moving,” Mrs. Wellman said. Although they accepted Athena into their home and hearts, the Wellmans advise people to think carefully before becoming a pet owner. “Too many sad stories like Athena’s happen when pet owners take on responsibilities that aren’t fully realized,” Mrs. Wellman said. “Money for food, time to play with and exercise your animal, and the cost of vet bills add up. “People may think they can afford an animal financially, but there is also the responsibility of caring for your pet’s emotional needs as well,” she said. Other factors to keep in mind before adopting a pet are lifestyle, allergies and compatibility. “Make sure you have a good match with your family,” Mrs. Wellman said. “Realize that pets may have long lives and will be with you from base to base. “Pets are not disposable,” she said. Athena has adjusted to life at the Wellman’s home and has Samantha, Xena and three cats as playmates. “In all honesty, we really can’t believe how much Athena’s presence has added to our home. She is such a happy dog and you would never know how sick she truly is if you weren’t told,” Mrs. Wellman said. “She provides much love and companionship and we feel blessed to know she will always be with us,” Mrs. Wellman said. “We only hope we have given her half the joy she has given us.”